Hologram recording medium, hologram recording apparatus and method, and computer program

ABSTRACT

A hologram recording apparatus ( 300 ) is provided with: a recording device ( 100 ) for recording record information into a hologram recording medium ( 1 ); a measuring device ( 325 ) for measuring a time elapsed from when the recording of the record information is stopped to when the recording of the record information is restarted; a first controlling device ( 354 ) for controlling the recording device to multiplex-record the record information, if the measured elapsed time is shorter than a time length in which the record information can be multiplex-recorded; and a second controlling device ( 354 ) for controlling the recording device not to multiplex-record the record information, if the measured elapsed time is longer than the time length in which the record information can be multiplex-recorded.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a hologram recording medium, a hologramrecording apparatus for and a hologram recording method of recordinginformation into the hologram recording medium, and a computer programused for the hologram recording apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

There is known a hologram recording technique of recording data to berecorded, as an interference pattern, into a hologram recording medium.In one method, light from a light source is spatially-modulated inaccordance with the data to be recorded, by using a modulation patternobtained by combining two-dimensional white and black patterns which aregenerated in accordance with a predetermined modulation rule, to therebygenerate information light, and the recording medium is irradiated withthe signal light and reference light The information light and thereference light form the interference pattern on the recording medium,and the interference pattern is recorded into a recording layer of therecording medium. On the other hand, in reproduction, the interferencepattern recorded in the recording medium is irradiated with only thereference light, and detection light from the recording medium isdetected by a two-dimensional (2D) sensor, to thereby reproduce the data

As in the information recording onto an optical disc or the like, evenin the hologram recording, object light and the reference light arefocused on the recording medium by using an objective lens or the like.Therefore, in order to accurately perform the information recording andreproduction, addressing control and tracking servo control arerequired, wherein the addressing control is to preferably recognize aposition on the hologram recording medium and the tracking servo controlis to control the position of the objective lens with respect to thehologram recording medium. In order to perform the addressing controland the tracking servo control, it is possible to use the hologramrecording medium provided with: a hologram recording layer to recordtherein data; and an address information layer to record therein anaddress or the like (refer to patent documents 1 and 2). With respect tosuch a hologram recording medium, it is possible to record the data intothe hologram recording medium while preferably performing the addressingcontrol and the tracking servo control or the like, for example, byrecording the data into the hologram recording layer with blue laserlight and by reading the address or the like recorded in the addressinformation layer with red laser light.

-   Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid Open NO.    2005-196826-   Patent document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid Open NO.    2005-71528

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Subject to be Solved by the Invention

As one of the features of such a hologram recording technology,multiplex-recording (or shift-multiplex-recording) can be listed. Themultiplex-recording is a technology for recording the data at a highdensity on the hologram recording medium by forming one interferencepattern, which is to record one data, and another interference pattern,which is to record another data, with them superimposed on the hologramrecording medium. This is a recording method that is possible becausethe recording layer or recording film of the hologram recording mediumuses, for example, photopolymer or the like which is photo-polymerizableresin (hereinafter collectively referred to as “photopolymer”). Thephotopolymer has such a characteristic that constituent molecules withdifferent refractive indexes in the photopolymer are polymerized anddiffused by the irradiation of light, resulting in hardening after acertain time. Thus, the data can be multiplex-recorded before thephotopolymer hardens, and as a result, the data can be recorded at ahigh density on the hologram recording medium.

On the other hand, it is assumed, even in the hologram recording medium,that sequential recording is performed, as in an optical disc such as aDVD, in order to efficiently use its recording capacity. In performingthe sequential recording, an operation of restarting the recording (i.e.write-once or additional recording operation) is frequently performedafter the recording is once stopped. Therefore, in restarting therecording, depending on a time elapsed after the stop of the recording,it is avoided to multiplex-record the data in a recording boundaryportion because the photopolymer hardens. However, the hardening of thephotopolymer requires a certain amount of time, so that notmultiplex-recording the data in the recording boundary portion all thetime (i.e. non-multiplexed recording) raises a technical problem ofreducing the recording capacity of the hologram recording medium.

With regard to the subject to be solved by the present invention, theabove can be listed as one example. It is therefore an object of thepresent invention to provide a hologram recording medium, a hologramrecording apparatus and method, which allow the data recording whileeffectively using the recording capacity, and a computer program whichmakes a computer as such a hologram recording apparatus.

Means for Solving the Subject

(Hologram Recording Medium)

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by a hologramrecording medium provided with: a record information area in whichrecord information is recorded; and a time information area to recordtherein time information which indicates a time length in which therecord information can be multiplex-recorded.

According to the hologram recording medium of the present invention, therecord information including video information, audio information,information for PC or the like can be recorded into the recordinformation area. More specifically, by modulating the recordinformation in accordance with a modulation rule related to the hologramrecording/reproduction, a modulation pattern is generated from therecord information. The modulation pattern is used in spatial-modulatingthe laser light emitted from an optical pickup or the like. Thespatial-modulated laser light (i.e. information light or signal light)interferences with reference light of the laser light emitted from theoptical pickup. Thereby, an interference pattern is recorded into thehologram recording medium. By this, the record information can berecorded into the record information area.

In particular, the hologram recording medium in the present invention isprovided with the time information area to record therein the timeinformation which indicates the time length in which the recordinformation can be multiplex-recorded. More specifically, it is providedwith the time information area to record therein the time informationwhich indicates the time length (e.g. a time range, a time upper limit,or the like) in which the interference pattern can be superimposed andrecorded by multiplex-recording (or shift-multiplex-recording), which isone feature of the hologram recording technology. Here, the timeinformation may be information which directly or indirectly indicatesthe time length in which the record information can bemultiplex-recorded.

As described above, because the time information which indicates thetime length in which the record information can be multiplex-recorded isrecorded, if the additional recording operation, which is frequentlyperformed in the sequential recording, is performed, the additionalrecording operation can be performed with the multiplex-recording of therecord information, depending on the time length between the temporarystop of the recording of the record information and the restarting ofthe recording. Specifically, if the time length between the temporarystop of the recording of the record information and the restarting ofthe recording is shorter than the time length indicated by the timeinformation, the multiplex-recording of the record information can beperformed in a additional recording boundary portion at which theadditional recording operation is started. On the other hand, if thetime length between the temporary stop of the recording of the recordinformation and the restarting of the recording is longer than the timelength indicated by the time information, the non-multiplex-recording ofthe record information can be performed (i.e. the record informationcannot be multiplex-recorded) in the additional recording boundaryportion at which the additional recording operation is started. By this,it is not necessary to always perform the non-multiplex-recording of therecord information in the additional recording boundary portion, so thatit is possible to record the record information while effectively usingthe recording capacity of the hologram recording medium.

In one aspect of the hologram recording medium of the present invention,the time information indicates a hardening time required to harden amaterial that constitutes the hologram recording medium afterirradiation of a light beam, as the time length in which the recordinformation can be multiplex-recorded.

According to this aspect, if the time length between the temporary stopof the recording of the record information and the restarting of therecording is shorter than the hardening time indicated by the timeinformation, the multiplex-recording of the record information can beperformed in the additional recording boundary portion at which theadditional recording operation is started. On the other hand, if thetime length between the temporary stop of the recording of the recordinformation and the restarting of the recording is longer than thehardening time indicated by the time information, thenon-multiplex-recording of the record information can be performed inthe additional recording boundary portion at which the additionalrecording operation is started. The reason why the multiplex-recordingcan be performed on the hologram recording medium is that a recordinglayer or recording film of the hologram recording medium usesphotopolymer or the like which is photo-polymerizable resin and whichhas a characteristic of hardening after a certain time from theirradiation of light. Therefore, with referent to the hardening timeindicated by the time information, it can be judged relatively easilywhether or not the photopolymer or the like has already hardened betweenthe temporary stop of the recording of the record information and therestarting of the recording. By this, it is not necessary to alwaysperform the non-multiplex-recording of the record information in theadditional recording boundary portion, so that it is possible to recordthe record information while effectively using the recording capacity ofthe hologram recording medium. Incidentally, the recording layer orrecording film of the hologram recording medium is not limited to thephotopolymer or the like which is photo-polymerizable resin and whichhas a characteristic of hardening after a certain time from theirradiation of light. It is obvious that various materials that allowthe hologram recording can be used.

Moreover, the hardening time indicated by the time information may beinformation which directly indicates the hardening time required toharden the material that constitutes the hologram recording medium (inparticular, its recording layer or recording film) after the irradiationof the light beam. The hardening time indicated by the time informationmay be information which indirectly indicates the hardening timerequired to harden the material that constitutes the hologram recordingmedium (in particular, its recording layer or recording film) after theirradiation of the light beam

(Hologram Recording Apparatus)

The above object of the present invention can be also achieved by ahologram recording apparatus provided with: a recording device forrecording record information into a hologram recording medium; ameasuring device for measuring a time elapsed from the interruption ofthe recording of the record information to the restart of the recordingof the record information; a first controlling device for controllingthe recording device to restart the recording of the record informationwhile the record information is multiplex-recorded, if the measuredelapsed time is shorter than a time length in which the recordinformation can be multiplex-recorded; and a second controlling devicefor controlling the recording device to restart the recording of therecord information while the record information is notmultiplex-recorded, if the measured elapsed time is longer than the timelength in which the record information can be multiplex-recorded.

According to the hologram recording apparatus of the present invention,by the operation of the recording device, the record informationincluding video information, audio information, information for PC, orthe like can be recorded into the hologram recording layer on thehologram recording medium. More specifically, by modulating the recordinformation in accordance with a modulation rule related to the hologramrecording/reproduction, a modulation pattern is generated from therecord information. The modulation pattern is used in spatial-modulatingthe laser light emitted from an optical pickup or the like, whichconstitutes one specific example of the first recording device. Thespatial-modulated laser light (i.e. information light or signal light)interferences with reference light of the laser light emitted from theoptical pickup. Thereby, an interference pattern is recorded into thehologram recording medium. By this, the record information can berecorded into the hologram recording medium.

In particular, in the present invention, by the operation of themeasuring device, the elapsed time between the temporary stop of therecording of the record information and the restarting of the recording(in other words, the elapsed time between the temporary stop of therecording of the record information and the start of the additionalrecording operation) is measured. After that, if the measured elapsedtime is shorter than the time length in which the record information canbe multiplex-recorded, the recording device is controlled by theoperation of the first controlling device to perform themultiplex-recording of the record information in the additionalrecording boundary portion at which the additional recording operationis started. On the other hand, if the measured elapsed time is longerthan the time length in which the record information can bemultiplex-recorded, the recording device is controlled by the operationof the second controlling device to perform the non-multiplex-recordingof the record information in the additional recording boundary portionat which the additional recording operation is started. By this, it isnot necessary to always perform the non-multiplex-recording of therecord information in the additional recording boundary portion,depending on the time length between the temporary stop of the recordingof the record information and the restarting of the recording. Thus, itis possible to record the record information while effectively using therecording capacity of the hologram recording medium. In particular, whenthe sequential recording is performed, it is predicted that theadditional recording operation is frequently performed. Thus, accordingto the hologram recording apparatus of the present invention, it ispossible to record the data while extremely effectively using therecording capacity of the hologram recording medium even if thesequential recording is performed.

In one aspect of the hologram recording apparatus of the presentinvention, the time length in which the record information can bemultiplex-recorded is a hardening time required to harden a materialthat constitutes the hologram recording medium after irradiation of alight beam.

According to this aspect, if the time length between the temporary stopof the recording of the record information and the restarting of therecording is shorter than the hardening time indicated by the timeinformation, the multiplex-recording of the record information can beperformed in the additional recording boundary portion at which theadditional recording operation is started. On the other hand, if thetime length between the temporary stop of the recording of the recordinformation and the restarting of the recording is longer than thehardening time indicated by the time information, thenon-multiplex-recording of the record information can be performed inthe additional recording boundary portion at which the additionalrecording operation is started. By this, it is not necessary to alwaysperform the non-multiplex-recording of the record information in theadditional recording boundary portion, so that it is possible to recordthe record information while effectively using the recording capacity ofthe hologram recording medium.

In another aspect of the hologram recording apparatus of the presentinvention, the first controlling device controls the recording device torecord the record information from a position shifted by a first offsetamount from a position of a record mark formed by recording the recordinformation before the stop.

According to this aspect, by the operation of the first controllingdevice, it is possible to record the record information such that therecord mark after the restarting of the recording is formed at theposition shifted by the predetermined first offset amount from theposition of the record mark formed by recording the record informationbefore the stop. By this, it is possible to preferably perform themultiplex-recording of the record information.

In an aspect of the hologram recording apparatus in which the recordinformation is recorded from the position shifted by the first offsetamount, as described above, the first offset amount may be a shiftamount in the multiplex-recording.

By virtue of such construction, it is possible to preferably perform themultiplex-recording of the record information, by the operation of thefirst controlling device.

In another aspect of the hologram recording apparatus of the presentinvention, the second controlling device controls the recording deviceto record the record information from a position shifted by a secondoffset amount from a position of a record mark formed by recording therecord information before the stop.

According to this aspect, by the operation of the second controllingdevice, it is possible to record the record information such that therecord mark after the restarting of the recording is formed at theposition shifted by the predetermined second offset amount, which isdifferent from the aforementioned first offset amount, from the positionof the record mark formed by recording the record information before thestop. By this, it is possible to preferably perform thenon-multiplex-recording of the record information.

In an aspect of the hologram recording apparatus in which the recordinformation is recorded from the position shifted by the second offsetamount, as described above, the second offset amount may be greater thanor equal to a size of a diameter of the record mark.

By virtue of such construction, it is possible to preferably perform thenon-multiplex-recording of the record information, by the operation ofthe second controlling device.

In an aspect of the hologram recording apparatus in which the recordinformation is recorded from the position shifted by the second offsetamount, as described above, the second offset amount may have an extentthat is required to make the record mark formed by recording the recordinformation before the stop not overlap the record mark of the recordinformation recorded after the restarting of the recording.

By virtue of such construction, it is possible to preferably perform thenon-multiplex-recording of the record information, by the operation ofthe second controlling device.

In another aspect of the hologram recording apparatus of the presentinvention, it is further provided with a storing device for storing timeinformation which indicates the time length in which the recordinformation can be multiplex-recorded.

According to this aspect, it is possible to preferably perform theaforementioned operations with reference to the time information storedin the storing device.

In another aspect of the hologram recording apparatus of the presentinvention, time information is recorded on the hologram recordingmedium, the time information indicating the time length in which therecord information can be multiplex-recorded.

According to this aspect, it is possible to preferably perform theaforementioned operations with reference to the time informationrecorded on the hologram recording medium.

In another aspect of the hologram recording apparatus of the presentinvention, it is further provided with a third controlling device forcontrolling a recording power which is used when the recording devicemultiplex-records the record information, in accordance with themeasured elapsed time, if the measured elapsed time is shorter than thetime length in which the record information can be multiplex-recorded.

According to this aspect, by the operation of the third controllingdevice, the recording power (e.g. the value of the recording power) whenthe recording device multiplex-records the record information iscontrolled in accordance with how long the measured elapsed time is.More specifically explaining this, even if the elapsed time is shorterthan the time length in which the multiplex-recording can be performed(in other words, the hardening time), the longer the elapsed time is,the more the photopolymer or the like that constitutes the hologramrecording layer hardens. If the hardening of the photopolymer or thelike progresses, recording features in recording the record informationare different. Thus, with the same recording power, it is hard tomaintain the good recording quality of the record information.Therefore, controlling the recording power by the operation of the thirdcontrolling device allows the good recording quality of the recordinformation to be maintained.

Incidentally, when the non-multiplex-recording of the recordinformation, the record information is recorded but not superimposed onthe recording layer or recording film in which the hardening progressesdue to the recording of the record information before the recording ofthe record information is restarted (i.e. before the recording of therecord information is once stopped). Thus, it is not always necessary toconsider the control of the recording power by the third controllingdevice. However, the recording power may be controlled even in thenon-multiplex-recording of the record information.

In an aspect of the hologram recording apparatus provided with the thirdcontrolling device, as described above, the third controlling device mayincrease the recording power as the measured elapsed time is relativelylong. That is, the third controlling device may increase the recordingpower more as the measured elapsed time becomes longer.

By virtue of such construction, it is possible to maintain the goodrecording quality of the record information. More specificallyexplaining this, if the hardening of the photopolymer or the likeprogresses, the sensitivity of the recording layer or recording film ofthe hologram recording medium decreases. Thus, in order to maintain thegood recording quality of the record information that is recorded intothe recording layer or recording film with the sensitivity reduced, itis necessary to relatively increase the recording power. Therefore,increasing the recording power by the operation of the third controllingdevice allows the good recording quality of the record information to bemaintained.

Incidentally, the increasing amount of the recording power is preferablydetermined in accordance with the extent that the light beam or the likeirradiated to newly record the record information overlaps the recordinglayer or recording film in which the hardening progresses due to therecording of the record information before the recording of the recordinformation is restarted.

In an aspect of the hologram recording apparatus provided with the thirdcontrolling device, as described above, the third controlling device mayincrease the recording power, and then reduces the recording power stepby step by a predetermined amount or continuously by a predeterminedratio.

By virtue of such construction, as the recording operation progresses,the record information is recorded but not superimposed on the recordinglayer or recording film in which the hardening progresses due to therecording of the record information before the recording of the recordinformation is restarted. Thus, it is possible to reset the recordingpower to the original recording power by reducing the recording powergradually or step by step.

In another aspect of the hologram recording apparatus of the presentinvention, the recording device records the record information byirradiating a light beam, and the hologram recording apparatus furthercomprises a fourth controlling device for controlling an irradiationtime of the light beam required to record the record information, inaccordance with the measured elapsed time, if the measured elapsed timeis shorter than the time length in which the record information can bemultiplexed and recorded.

According to this aspect, it is possible to receive the same benefits asthose in increasing the recording power by the operation of theaforementioned third controlling device. That is, increasing therecording power and increasing the irradiation time are common in thepoint of increasing the amount of energy given to the recording layer orrecording film of the hologram recording medium. In the same manner,reducing the recording power and reducing the irradiation time arecommon in the point of reducing the amount of energy given to therecording layer or recording film of the hologram recording medium.Therefore, it is possible to maintain the good recording quality of therecord information by controlling the irradiation time of the light beam(e.g. controlling a moving speed of an optical pickup) by the operationof the fourth controlling device, in addition to or instead ofcontrolling the recording power by the operation of the thirdcontrolling device.

In an aspect of the hologram recording apparatus provided with thefourth controlling device, as described above, the fourth controllingdevice may increase the irradiation time as the measured elapsed time isrelatively long.

By virtue of such construction, it is possible to maintain the goodrecording quality of the record information, as in increasing therecording power by the operation of the third controlling device.

In an aspect of the hologram recording apparatus provided with thefourth controlling device, as described above, the fourth controllingdevice may increase the irradiation time, and then reduces theirradiation time step by step by a predetermined amount or continuouslyby a predetermined ratio.

By virtue of such construction, it is possible to reset the irradiationtime of the light beam to the original irradiation time, as in reducingthe recording power gradually or step by step by the operation of thethird controlling device. That is, it is possible to reset the extent ofthe energy given to the recording layer or recording film of thehologram recording medium, to the original extent.

(Hologram Recording Method)

The above object of the present invention can be also achieved by ahologram recording method in a hologram recording apparatus providedwith: a recording device for recording record information into ahologram recording medium, the hologram recording method provided with ameasuring process of measuring a time elapsed from the interruption ofthe recording of the record information to the restart of the recordingof the record information; a first controlling process of controllingthe recording device to restart the recording of the record informationwhile the record information is multiplex-recorded, if the measuredelapsed time is shorter than a time length in which the recordinformation can be multiplex-recorded; and a second controlling processof controlling the recording device to restart the recording of therecord information while the record information is notmultiplex-recorded, if the measured elapsed time is longer than the timelength in which the record information can be multiplex-recorded.

According to the hologram recording method of the present invention, itis possible to receive the same various benefits as those of thehologram recording apparatus of the present invention described above.

Incidentally, in response to various aspects as those of the hologramrecording apparatus of the present invention, the hologram recordingmethod of the present invention can also employ various aspects.

(Computer Program)

The above object of the present invention can be also achieved by acomputer program for hologram recording control to control a computerprovided in the aforementioned hologram recording apparatus of thepresent invention (including its various aspects), the computer programmaking the computer function as at least one portion of the measuringdevice, the first controlling device, and the second controlling device.

According to the computer program of the present invention, theaforementioned hologram recording apparatus of the present invention canbe relatively easily realized as a computer reads and executes thecomputer program from a program storage device, such as a ROM, a CD-ROM,a DVD-ROM, and a hard disk, or as it executes the computer program afterdownloading the program through a communication device.

Incidentally, in response to the various aspects of the aforementionedhologram recording apparatus of the present invention, the computerprogram of the present invention can also employ various aspects.

The above object of the present invention can be also achieved by acomputer program product in a computer-readable medium for tangiblyembodying a program of instructions executable by a computer provided inthe aforementioned hologram recording apparatus of the present invention(including its various aspects), the computer program product making thecomputer function as at least one portion of the measuring device, thefirst controlling device, and the second controlling device.

According to the computer program product of the present invention, theaforementioned hologram recording apparatus of the present invention canbe embodied relatively readily, by loading the computer program productfrom a recording medium for storing the computer program product, suchas a ROM (Read Only Memory), a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), aDVD-ROM (DVD Read Only Memory), a hard disk or the like, into thecomputer, or by downloading the computer program product, into thecomputer via a communication device. More specifically, the computerprogram product may include computer readable codes to cause thecomputer (or may comprise computer readable instructions for causing thecomputer) to function as the aforementioned hologram recording apparatusof the present invention.

These effects and other advantages of the present invention will becomemore apparent from the embodiments explained below.

As explained above, according to the hologram recording medium of thepresent invention, it is provided with the record information area andthe time information area. According to the hologram recordingapparatus, it is provided with the recording device, the measuringdevice, the first controlling device, and the second controlling device.According to the hologram recording method, it is provided with themeasuring process, the first controlling process and the secondcontrolling process. According to the computer program of the presentinvention, it makes a computer function as at least one portion of themeasuring device, the first controlling device, and the secondcontrolling device. Therefore, it is possible to record the recordinformation while effectively using the recording capacity of thehologram recording medium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 are a cross sectional view and a plan view conceptually showingthe basic structure of a hologram recording medium in an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram conceptually showing the basic structure of ahologram recording/reproducing apparatus in an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram conceptually showing, in particular, the basicstructure of an optical system disposed in an optical pickup in thehologram recording/reproducing apparatus in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 are schematic diagrams showing one specific example of a2-dimensional digital modulation method for data.

FIG. 5 are schematic diagrams showing another specific example of the2-dimensional digital modulation method for data.

FIG. 6 is a plan view conceptually showing an aspect of data recordingon a hologram recording layer of the hologram recording medium.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart conceptually showing a flow of a data recordingoperation by the hologram recording/reproducing apparatus in theembodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart conceptually showing a flow of a temporary stopoperation in a step S107 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view and a plan view conceptually showing arecording state of the hologram recording medium when additional datarecording operation is performed if it is judged that a current countvalue by a countdown timer is greater than or equal to 0.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view and a plan view conceptually showing arecording state of the hologram recording medium when additional datarecording operation is performed if it is judged that a current countvalue by a countdown timer is not greater than or equal to 0.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view and a graph conceptually showing arelationship between an aspect of the data recording into the hologramrecording medium and a recording power, in a modified operation example.

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view and a graph conceptually showing arelationship among an aspect of the data recording into the hologramrecording medium, an exposure time, and a optical pickup moving speed,in the modified operation example.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CODES

-   1 hologram recording medium-   11 hologram recording layer-   12 address information layer-   21 user data area-   22 management information area-   23 hardening time information-   100 pickup-   101 recording/reproduction laser-   104 spatial modulator-   108 2D sensor-   300 hologram recording/reproducing apparatus-   313 signal recording/reproducing device-   314, 319 CPU-   325 countdown timer

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention willbe explained in order in each embodiment with reference to the drawings.

(1) Hologram Recording Medium

Firstly, with reference to FIG. 1 the basic structure of a hologramrecording medium in an embodiment of the present invention will beexplained. FIG. 1 are a cross sectional view and a plan viewconceptually showing the basic structure of the hologram recordingmedium in the embodiment.

As shown in each of FIG. 1( a) and FIG. 1( b), a hologram recordingmedium 1 is provided with: a hologram recording layer 11; and an addressinformation layer 12.

The hologram recording layer 11 is provided with: a user data area 21,which constitutes one specific example of the “record information area”of the present invention; and a management information area 22, whichconstitutes one specific example of the “time information area” of thepresent invention.

The user data area 21 is a layer to record therein video data, audiodata, and other various data.

In the management information area 22, various management information isrecorded to manage or control the recording and reproduction of the datarecorded in the user data area 21. The management information includeshardening time information 23, which constitutes one specific example ofthe “time information” of the present invention.

The hardening time information 23 indicates a time length required toharden a material that constitutes the hologram recording layer 11 (e.g.photopolymer or the like which is photo-polymerizable resin) after thematerial is irradiated with laser light. Incidentally, the time lengthrequired to harden the material varies depending on the material'senvironment (e.g. temperature or the like). Thus, the hardening timeinformation 23 may indicate a time length required to harden thematerial under a predetermined temperature environment (e.g. 25 degreeCelsius). In this case, the time length required for the hardening underthe actual environment in which the hologram recording medium 1 is usedmay be calculated by a calculation or the like from the time lengthrequired to harden the material under the predetermined temperatureenvironment, in view of the actual environment. In this case, variousparameters required for the calculation may be recorded as themanagement information.

Alternatively, correlation information (e.g. a graph, a function, atable, or the like) which indicates a correlation between theenvironment of the hologram recording medium 1 and the hardening timemay be recorded as the hardening time information 23.

The hardening time information 23 indicates a time length in which thedata can be multiplex-recorded in the user data area 21 under thecondition that the data recording is restarted (i.e. a write-onceoperation or additional recording operation is performed) after it isonce stopped. That is, if the data recording is restarted within thetime that is indicated by the hardening time information 23 after thedata recording is once stopped, the data can be superimposed andrecorded on the data recorded when the data recording is once stopped(i.e. multiplexed recording is performed). On the other hand, if thedata recording is restarted over the time that is indicated by thehardening time information 23 after the data recording is once stopped,the data is recorded but not superimposed on the data recorded when thedata recording is once stopped (i.e. non-multiplex-recording isperformed). Incidentally, an aspect of the data recording using thehardening time information 23 will be detailed later.

Incidentally, the hardening time information 23 may indicate a time thathas no adverse effect on the multiplex-recording of the data (or timerange and its upper limit), in addition to or instead of indicating thehardening time itself of the material that constitutes the hologramrecording layer 11. That is, the hardening time information 23 mayindicate a time in which the multiplex-recording of the data can beperformed without hindrance (or time range and its upper limit), with atime point at which the data recording is once stopped being a base.

The address information layer 12 is formed by forming a track spirallyor concentrically, centered on a center hole 13. The track is wobbled(or oscillated) in predetermined cycles, and address information or thelike is recorded by using the wobbling. Alternatively, the addressinformation or the like may be recorded by using pre-pits, such asembossed pits, formed in advance.

(2) Basic Structure of Hologram Recording/Reproducing Apparatus

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, a hologram recording/reproducingapparatus will be explained as an embodiment of the hologram recordingapparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagramconceptually showing the basic structure of the hologramrecording/reproducing apparatus in the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, a hologram recording/reproducing apparatus 300 isprovided with: a disc drive 301 on which the hologram recording medium 1is actually loaded and on which data recording and data reproduction areperformed; and a host computer 302, such as a personal computer, forcontrolling the data recording and reproduction with respect to the discdrive 301.

The disc drive 301 is provided with: the hologram recording medium aspindle motor 311: an optical pickup 100; a signal recording/reproducingdevice 313; a CPU (drive control device) 314; a memory 315; a datainput/output control device 316; and a bus 317. Moreover, the hostcomputer 302 is provided with: a data input/output control device 318; aCPU 319; a memory 320; a bus 321; an operation/display control device322; an operation button 323; and a display panel 324.

The spindle motor 311 is intended to rotate and stop the hologramrecording medium 1, and operates upon accessing the hologram recordingmedium 1. More specifically, the spindle motor 311 is constructed torotate the hologram recording medium 1 at a predetermined speed andstop, under spindle servo from a not-illustrated servo unit or the like.

The optical pickup 100 constitutes one specific example of the“recording device” of the present invention, and is provided with asemiconductor laser device, a lens, and the like, in order to performthe data recording on the hologram recording medium 1. The detailedstructure of the optical pickup 100 will be described later (refer toFIG. 3).

The signal recording/reproducing device 313 controls the spindle motor311 and the optical pickup 312, to thereby perform the data recordinginto the hologram recording medium 1. More specifically, the signalrecording/reproducing device 313 controls a spatial modulator 104described later, to thereby generate a two-dimensional (2D) modulationimage pattern according to the data to be recorded, and displays it onthe spatial modulator 104. Moreover, the signal recording/reproducingdevice 313 performs a demodulation process or the like on a spatialmodulation age pattern detected by a 2D sensor 108 described later, tothereby generate reproduction data and reproduces the reproduction data.

The memory 315 is used in the general data processing on the disc drive301, including a buffer area for the data, an area used as anintermediate buffer when data is converted into the data that can beused on the signal recording/reproducing device 313, and the like.Moreover, the memory 315 is provided with: a ROM area into which aprogram for performing an operation as a recording device, i.e.firmware, is stored; a buffer for temporary storage of therecord/reproduction data; a RAM area into which a parameter required forthe operation of a firmware program or the like is stored; and the like.

The CPU (drive control device) 314 is connected to the signalrecording/reproducing device 313 and the memory 315 through the bus 317,and controls the entire disc drive 301 by giving an instruction tovarious controlling devices. Moreover, usually, software or firmware foroperating the CPU 314 is stored in the memory 315.

In particular, the CPU 314 is provided with a countdown timer 325, whichconstitutes one specific example of the “measuring device” of thepresent invention. The countdown timer 325 starts countdown from apredetermined value with the stop of the data recording as trigger, andperforms the countdown until the count value becomes zero.

The data input/output control device 316 controls the input/output ofthe data from the exterior with respect to the disc drive 301, tothereby perform import to and export from the data buffer on the memory315. A drive control command issued from the external host computer 302connected to the disc drive 301 through an interface, such as a SCSI andan ATAPI, is transmitted to the CPU 314 through the data input/outputcontrol device 316. Moreover, the data is also exchanged with the hostcomputer 302 through the data input/output control device 316, in thesame manner.

The operation/display control device 322 receives an operationinstruction and performs display with respect to the host computer 302,and transmits an instruction by the operation button 323, such as aninstruction to record, to the CPU 319. The CPU 319 may transmit acontrol command to the disc drive 301, through the data input/outputcontrol device 318, on the basis of instruction information from theoperation/display control device 322, to thereby control the entire discdrive 301. In the same manner, the CPU 319 can transmit a command forrequesting the disc drive 301 to transmit an operational state to thehost, with respect to the disc drive 301. By this, the operational stateof the disc drive 301, such as during recording, can be recognized, sothat the CPU 319 can output the operational state of the disc drive 301to the display panel 301, such as a fluorescent tube and an LCD, throughthe operation/display control device 322.

The memory 320 is an internal memory apparatus used by the host computer302, and it is provided with: a ROM area in which a firmware program,such as BIOS (Basic Input/Output System), is stored; a RAM area in whichvariables necessary for the operation of an operating system and anapplication program or the like are stored; and the like. Moreover, thememory 320 may be connected to an external memory apparatus, such as anot-illustrated hard disk, through the data input/output control device318.

One specific example used by combining the disc drive 301 and the hostcomputer 302, as explained above, is household equipment, such asrecorder equipment for recording and reproducing video images. Therecorder equipment records a video signal from a broadcast receptiontuner and an external connection terminal, onto a disc. The operation asthe recorder equipment is performed by executing a program stored in thememory 320, on the CPU 319. Moreover, in another specific example, thedisc drive 301 is a disc drive (hereinafter referred to as a “drive”, asoccasion demands), and the host computer 302 is a personal computer or awork station. The host computer, such as the personal computer, and thedrive are connected through the data input/output control devices 316and 318, such as the SCSI and the ATAPI, and application, such aswriting software, installed in the host computer 302 controls the discdrive 301.

Next, the basic structure of the optical pickup 100 will be explainedwith reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram conceptuallyshowing, in particular, the basic structure of an optical systemdisposed in the optical pickup 100 in the hologram recording/reproducingapparatus 300 in the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the optical pickup 100 is provided with: arecording/reproduction laser 101 which generates laser light for datarecording or reproducing; and a servo laser 121 which generates redlaser light for tracking servo control.

In the data recording, the laser light La emitted from therecording/reproduction laser 101 is divided by a beam splitter 102 intoa signal beam SB as objective light and a reference beam RB as referencelight for recording. The signal beam SB is inputted to a spatialmodulator 104. The spatial modulator 104 can be formed of e.g. a liquidcrystal element and has a plurality of pixels arranged in a latticepattern.

The spatial modulator 104 displays a 2D modulation image pattern, whichincludes white pixels and black pixels and which is obtained by 2Ddigital-modulating the user data to be recorded. And the spatialmodulator 104 spatially-modulates the signal beam SB by using the 2Dmodulation image patterns.

The signal beam SB, which is spatially-modulated by the spatialmodulator 104, and the reference beam RB, whose optical path is adjustedby mirrors 103 and 105, are merged on the same optical axis by a beamsplitter 106, and then is transmitted through a half mirror 107 and adichroic mirror 109 with wavelength selectivity, is focused by anobjective lens 110, and is irradiated onto the hologram recording medium1. As a result, the spatial-modulated signal beam SB and the referencebeam RB form an interference pattern in the hologram recording medium 1(more specifically, in the hologram recording layer 11), and theinterference pattern is recorded into the hologram recording medium 1.

Now, with reference to FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, an explanation will be given onspecific aspects of the 2D digital modulation. FIG. 4 are schematicdiagrams showing one specific example of the 2-dimensional digitalmodulation method for data. FIG. 5 are schematic diagrams showinganother specific example of the 2-dimensional digital modulation methodfor data. FIG. 6 is a plan view conceptually showing an aspect of datarecording on the hologram recording layer 11 of the hologram recordingmedium 1.

As shown in FIG. 4( a), the data to be recorded into the hologramrecording medium 1 (hereinafter referred to as “record data” as occasiondemands), which are “0” and “1”, are expressed by the combination of thewhite pixel and the black pixel. The vertical arrangement of the whitepixel and the black pixel in this order corresponds to the record data“0”, and the vertical arrangement of the black pixel and the white pixelin this order corresponds to the record data “1”. This example isreferred to as 1:2 difference modulation because 1-bit record data isconverted to 2-bit (or 2 pixel) 2D modulation data.

FIG. 4( b) shows the 2D modulation data, which is obtained by 2Ddigital-modulating record data of “00101101” in this modulation method.That is, the 2D modulation data to which marker data, which indicates areference position of the pixel, is added and is displayed on thespatial modulator 104, as the white pixel and the black pixel.Incidentally, the spatial modulator 104 is driven to generate the whitepixel portion and the black pixel portion, under the control of thesignal recording/reproducing device 313, and it converts the record datato a 2D modulation image pattern. The laser light which enters thespatial modulator 104 is transmitted through the white pixel portion ofthe 2D modulation image pattern and is blocked in the black pixelportion. Thus, the signal beam SB optically spatial-modulated by the 2Dmodulation image pattern is emitted from the spatial modulator 104.

Incidentally, the aforementioned example is one example of the2D-modulation, and the application of the present invention is notnecessarily limited to the aforementioned modulation method.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5( a), 2D-modulation method may be amethod of converting 2-bit record data to 4-bit 2D modulation data, i.e.a so-called 2:4 modulation method. In the 2:4 modulation method, forexample, a 2D modulation image pattern in which only the upper leftpixel of a 2×2 matrix pixels is white corresponds to record data of“00”, a 2D modulation image pattern in which only the upper right pixelis white corresponds to record data of “01”, a 2D modulation imagepattern in which only the lower left pixel is white corresponds torecord data of “10”, and a 2D modulation image pattern in which only thelower right pixel is white corresponds to record data of “11”.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5( b), 2D-modulation method may be amethod of converting 6-bit record data to 9-bit 2D modulation data, i.e.a so-called 6:9 modulation method. In the 6:9 modulation method, 6-bitrecord data is expressed, depending on the positions of three whitepixels, on a 3×3 matrix pixels.

Alternatively, any 2D digital modulation method may be used if capableof converting the record data to the 2D modulation image pattern and ifcapable of driving the spatial modulator 104 to spatial-modulate laserlight.

As described above, the signal beam SB, optically spatial-modulated bythe 2D modulation image pattern from the spatial modulator 104, and thereference beam RB form the interference pattern in the hologramrecording medium 1 (more specifically, in the hologram recording layer11). At this time, a record mark, as shown in FIG. 6, is formed on thesurface of the hologram recording layer 11. By this, the record data isrecorded into the hologram recording medium 1.

In FIG. 3 again, on the other hand, in the data reproduction, thespatial modulator 104 is controlled in a non-modulation condition (i.e.all-optical transmission condition). Thus, the laser light emitted fromthe recording/reproduction laser 101 passes through the half mirror 102,the half mirror 106, the half mirror 107, the dichroic mirror 109, andthe objective lens 110, without being modulated by the spatial modulator104, and is irradiated onto the hologram recording medium 1. This laserlight becomes reference light for reproduction. In the hologramrecording medium 1, detection light is generated from the referencelight for reproduction and the interference pattern recorded in thehologram recording medium 1, and the detection light passes through theobjective lens 110 and the dichroic mirror 109, and is reflected by thehalf mirror 107, and enters the 2D sensor 108. The 2D sensor 108 may be,for example, a CCD array, a CMOS sensor, or the like, and it outputs anelectrical signal according to the quantity of incident light. In thismanner, the 2D modulation image pattern with the white and black pixels,displayed by the spatial modulator 104 in the recording, is formed onthe 2D sensor 108, and the 2D modulation image pattern is detected. Thedetected 2D modulation image pattern is demodulated or the like by theoperation of the signal recording/reproducing device 313, resulting inthe reproduction of the recorded data or the like.

On the other hand, the laser light emitted from the servo laser 121(hereinafter referred to as a “servo beam TB”) passes through a halfmirror 122, is reflected by a mirror 123, and is further reflected bythe dichroic mirror 109 with wavelength selectivity, and enters theobjective lens 110. The objective lens 110 focuses the servo beam TB onthe hologram recording medium 1 (more specifically, the addressinformation layer 12), together with the light beam from therecording/reproduction laser 101. The servo beam TB is reflected by areflective layer disposed on the back surface of the hologram recordingmedium 1, and is further reflected by the dichroic mirror 109, themirror 123, and the mirror 122. Then, the servo beam TB is received by afour-division photo detector 125 through a cylindrical lens 124. Thefour-division photo detector 125 outputs an electrical signalcorresponding to the quantity of received light. Thus, from a difference(e.g. push-pull signal) in the quantity of light of each light receivingarea of the four-division photo detector 125, a tracking error signal isobtained, which indicates how much deviation exists from the guidegroove for tracking servo control, which is formed on the hologramrecording medium 1, to perform the tracking servo control. In addition,from a result of the detection by the four-division photo detector 125,the address information or the like can be obtained.

(3) Operation Principle of Hologram Recording/Reproducing Apparatus

Next, with reference to FIG. 7, an explanation will be given on anoperation principle of the hologram recording/reproducing apparatus 300in the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart conceptually showing a flow ofa data recording operation by the hologram recording/reproducingapparatus 300 in the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, firstly, the hologram recording medium 1 is loadedon the disc drive 301 (step S101).

Then, the management information recorded in the management informationarea 22 is obtained (step S102). By this, the hardening time information23 is also obtained which is included in the management information formanaging or controlling the recording or reproduction of the data in theuser data area 21.

Then, various setup processes required for the data recording orreproduction are performed (step S103). After that, the data recordingis performed (step S104).

During the data recording, under the control of the CPU 314 or the CPU319, it is judged whether or not the data recording is temporarilystopped (step S105). The “stop” herein includes the case that the datarecording is temporarily stopped in terms of specifications of theoperation of the hologram recording/reproducing apparatus 300 or interms of the standard of the hologram recording/reproducing apparatus300, or similar cases, in addition to the case that an instruction tostop the data recording (e.g. halt, temporarily stop, or the like) isgiven by a user of the hologram recording/reproducing apparatus 300.Moreover, the case that the output of the data to be recorded onto thedisc drive 301 from the host computer 302 is temporarily stopped is alsoincluded in the “stop” herein.

As a result of the judgment in the step S105, if it is judged that thedata recording is temporarily stopped (the step S105: Yes), then atemporary stop process is performed (step S107). Incidentally, thetemporary stop process will be detailed later (refer to FIG. 8 or thelike).

On the other hand, as a result of the judgment in the step S105, if itis judged that the data recording is not temporarily stopped (the stepS105: No), then under the control of the CPU 314 or the CPU 319, it isjudged whether or not the data recording operation is ended (step S106).The “end” herein indicates the case that the recording of all the datato be recorded by this time's recording operation is finished, and thecase that an instruction to end the recording is given by the user ofthe hologram recording/reproducing apparatus 300.

As a result of the judgment in the step S106, if it is judged that thedata recording operation is not ended (the step S106: No), theoperational flow returns to the step S104 again, and the data recordingis continued. On the other hand, as a result of the judgment in the stepS106, if it is judged that the data recording operation is ended (thestep S106: Yes), the data recording operation is ended.

Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the temporary stop operation in the stepS107 in FIG. 8 will be explained. FIG. 8 is a flowchart conceptuallyshowing a flow of the temporary stop operation in the step S107 in FIG.7.

As shown in FIG. 8, if it is judged that the data recording istemporarily stopped, the countdown by the countdown timer 325 is startedwith that judgment as trigger (step S201). The initial value of thecountdown is the hardening time indicated by the hardening timeinformation 23. The countdown timer 325 performs the countdown (e.g.decrement of the initial value) by a unit of hour, minute, second,millisecond, or microsecond, using the hardening time indicated by thecuring time information 23 as the initial value.

When the countdown is performed by the countdown timer 325, in parallelwith this, it is judged whether or not the data recording is restarted(i.e. whether or not the data is additionally recorded), under thecontrol of the CPU 314 or the CPU 319 (step S202). Here, it may bejudged that the data recording is restarted if the data recording isrestarted in terms of specifications of the operation of the hologramrecording/reproducing apparatus 300 or in terms of the standard of thehologram recording/reproducing apparatus 300, or if an instruction torestart the data recording is given by the user of the hologramrecording/reproducing apparatus 300. Moreover, it may be judged that thedata recording is restarted if an inquiry about the next data recording(specifically an inquiry about a NWA described later) or the like issent to the disc drive 301 from the host computer 302.

As a result of the judgment in the step S202, if it is judged that thedata recording is not restarted (i.e. the state that the data recordingis stopped is continued) (the step S202: No), the operation of judgingwhether or not the data recording is restarted is continued while thecountdown by the countdown timer 325 is performed.

On the other hand, as a result of the judgment in the step S202, if itis judged that the data recording is restarted (the step S202: Yes), itis judged whether or not a current count value by the countdown timer325 is greater than or equal to 0, under the control of the CPU 314,which constitutes one specific example of the “measuring device” of thepresent invention together with the countdown timer 325 (step S203). Inother words, it is judged whether or not a time length between thejudgment that the data recording is temporarily stopped and therestarting of the data recording is shorter than the hardening timeindicated by the hardening time information 23. If the time lengthbetween the judgment that the data recording is temporarily stopped andthe restarting of the data recording is shorter than the hardening timeindicated by the hardening time information 23, the count value isgreater than or equal to 0. On the other hand, if the time length thejudgment that the data recording is temporarily stopped and therestarting of the data recording is longer than the hardening timeindicated by the hardening time information 23, the count value is notgreater than or equal to 0.

As a result of the judgment in the step S203, if it is judged that thecurrent count value by the countdown timer 325 is greater than or equalto 0 (the step S203: Yes), an area portion in the hologram recordinglayer 11 which is irradiated with the laser light lastly before thetemporary stop of the data recording has not completely hardened yet.Therefore, if the data recording is restarted, it is judged that it ispossible to newly superimpose and record the data on the data recordedlastly before the temporary stop of the data recording. That is, it isjudged that the multiplex-recording of the data can be performed in aadditional recording boundary portion. Thus, under the control of theCPU 314, which constitutes one specific example of the “firstcontrolling device” of the present invention, an address at which thedata recording is restarted, i.e. an address that indicates a positionat which the data is recorded next (NWA: Next Writable Address), is setto an address which is obtained by adding a predetermined offset value Ato an address of the area portion in which the data is recorded lastlybefore the recording is stopped (LRA: Last Recorded Address).

The offset value A is a value obtained by converting a shift amountrequired for the multiplex-recording of the data, to an address value.

On the other hand, as a result of the judgment in the step S203, if itis judged that the current count value by the countdown timer 325 is notgreater than or equal to 0 (the step S203: No), the area portion in thehologram recording layer which is irradiated with the laser light lastlybefore the temporary stop of the data recording has completely hardened.Therefore, if the data recording is restarted, it is judged that it isnecessary to newly record the data without being superimposed on thedata recorded lastly before the temporary stop of the data recording.That is, it is judged that the multiplex-recording of the data cannot beperformed in the additional recording boundary portion. In other words,it is judged that it is necessary to perform the non-multiplex-recordingof the data in the additional recording boundary portion. Thus, underthe control of the CPU 314, which constitutes one specific example ofthe “second controlling device” of the present invention, the NWA is setto an address which is obtained by adding a predetermined offset valueB, which is different from the offset value A, to the address (LRA) ofthe area portion in which the data is recorded lastly before therecording is stopped.

The offset value B uses a predetermined value so as to realize the statethat the data (or its record mark) recorded lastly before the datarecording is stopped does not overlap the data (or its record mark)recorded firstly when the data recording is restarted. Specifically, itis necessary to distance the record mark formed lastly when the datarecording is stopped from the record mark formed firstly when the datarecording is restarted (i.e. additionally recorded), by at least thesize of the diameter of the record mark. In addition, after the data isrecorded, the material which constitutes the hologram recording layer 11may heat shrink or the like, to thereby cause a physical difference at arecording boundary between the record mark and its surroundings in somecases. Thus, if such a physical difference is caused, the data is newlyrecorded (i.e. needs to be additionally recorded) in view of the extentof the physical difference. Thus, a value which is obtained byconverting a sum of the extent of the physical difference caused by theheat shrink or the like and the diameter of the record mark into theaddress value is used as the offset value B.

After that, the NWA set in the step S204 or the step S205 is passed fromthe disc drive 301 to the host computer 302, and the data recording isrestarted from the area portion indicated by the NWA in accordance withan instruction of the host computer 302 (the step S104 in FIG. 7).

Next, with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, a detailed explanation willbe given on the NWA set when the data recording is restarted (i.e. whenthe data is written once), in association with an aspect of theirradiation of the laser light in the hologram recording medium 1. FIG.9 is a cross sectional view and a plan view conceptually showing arecording state of the hologram recording medium 1 when additional datarecording operation is performed if it is judged that the current countvalue by the countdown timer 325 is greater than or equal to 0. FIG. 10is a cross sectional view and a plan view conceptually showing arecording state of the hologram recording medium 1 when additional datarecording operation is performed if it is judged that the current countvalue by the countdown timer 325 is not greater than or equal to 0.

As shown in FIG. 9, it is assumed that the data is recorded to the areaportion indicated by the LRA before the data recording is stopped. Here,if it is judged that the current count value by the countdown timer 325is greater than or equal to 0, what is set as the NWA is an addressobtained by adding the value obtained by converting the shift amountrequired for the multiplex-recording into the address value (i.e. theoffset value A) to the LRA.

That is, if the data recording is restarted, the laser light isirradiated as shown in a dashed line in the cross sectional view of thehologram recording medium 1 shown in the upper part of FIG. 9, and therecord mark is formed as shown in a dashed line in the plan view of thehologram recording medium 1 shown in the lower part of FIG. 9. Afterthat, the normal multiplex-recording is performed.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, if it is judged that the currentcount value by the countdown timer 325 is not greater than or equal to0, what is set as the NWA is an address obtained by adding the valueobtained by converting the size that is required to make the datarecorded lastly before the data recording is stopped not overlap thedata recorded firstly when the data recording is restarted, to theaddress value (i.e. the offset value B) to the LRA. That is, if the datarecording is restarted, the laser light is irradiated as shown in adashed line in the cross sectional view of the hologram recording medium1 shown in the upper part of FIG. 10, and the record mark is formed asshown in a dashed line in the plan view of the hologram recording medium1 shown in the lower part of FIG. 10. After that, the normalmultiplex-recording is performed.

As explained above, according to the hologram recording/reproducingapparatus 300 in the embodiment, it is not necessary to always performthe non-multiplex-recording of the data in the additional recordingboundary portion. That is, if the data recording is restarted within apredetermined time (specifically, within the time length indicated bythe hardening time information described above) after the data recordingis once stopped, the data can be multiplex-recorded even in theadditional recording boundary portion. By this, the data can be recordedin the area portion that cannot be effectively used because of thenon-multiplex-recording, so that it is possible to record the data whileeffectively using the recording capacity of the hologram recordingmedium 1. In particular, when the sequential recording is performed, itis considered that the additional recording operation is frequentlyperformed. Thus, it is possible to record the data while extremelyeffectively using the recording capacity of the hologram recordingmedium 1.

In addition, the hologram recording/reproducing apparatus 300 judgeswhether or not the multiplex-recording is performed in the additionalrecording boundary portion depending on the hardening time of thematerial that constitutes the hologram recording layer 11. Thus, it ispossible to scatter the hardening time of the material. By this, it ispossible to have wider options in the material that constitutes thehologram recording layer 11. In addition, the wider options in thematerial may allow a reduction in the manufacturing cost or an increasein the quality of the hologram recording medium 1, according tocircumstances. Moreover, even if the hardening time of the material isscattered, it is possible to preferably receive such an advantage thatthe data can be recorded even in the area portion that cannot beeffectively used because of the non-multiplex-recording, by performingthe aforementioned operations.

Incidentally, in the aforementioned embodiment, an explanation is givenon the aspect that the hardening time information 23 is recorded on thehologram recording medium 1. However, even if the hardening timeinformation 23 is not recorded on the hologram recording medium 1, theaforementioned operations can be performed if the hologramrecording/reproducing apparatus 300 stores the hardening timeinformation 23 in the memory 315 or the like, which constitutes onespecific example of the “storing device” of the present invention.Alternatively, even if the hardening time information 23 is not storedin the memory 315 or the like, or even if the hardening time information23 is not recorded on the hologram recording medium 1, theaforementioned operations can be performed if the time length indicatedby the hardening time information 23 or its quasi-time is set as theinitial value of the countdown performed by the countdown timer 325.

Incidentally, the countdown timer 325 is preferably mounted orimplemented on the CPU 314 by using firmware or the like. By this, thehologram recording/reproducing apparatus 300 in the embodiment can berealized, relatively easily and inexpensively, without changing thestructure as the hardware of the hologram recording/reproducingapparatus 300.

Moreover, after the disc drive 301 passes the NWA set in the step S204or the step S205 in FIG. 8 to the host compute 302, the host computer302 preferably restarts the recording in a short time.

Incidentally, in the aforementioned embodiment, the explanation is givenunder the assumption that a track pitch of the hologram recording medium1 is greater than the diameter of the record mark.

(4) Modified Operation Example

Next with reference to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, a modified operation exampleof the hologram recording/reproducing apparatus 300 in the embodimentwill be explained. FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view and a graphconceptually showing a relationship between an aspect of the datarecording into the hologram recording medium 1 and a recording power, ina modified operation example. FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view and agraph conceptually showing a relationship among an aspect of the datarecording into the hologram recording medium 1, an exposure time, and aoptical pickup moving speed, in the modified operation example.

In general, even if the count value of the countdown timer 325 isgreater than or equal to 0, as the count value is closer to 0, thematerial that constitutes the hologram recording layer 11 hardens more.In other words, the longer the time length between the stop of the datarecording operation and the restarting of the data recording is, themore the material that constitutes the hologram recording layer 11hardens. If the hardening of the material progresses, recording featuresin recording the data are different. Specifically, if the hardening ofthe material progresses, the sensitivity of the hologram recording layer11 is reduced. Thus, if it is irradiated with the laser light with thesame recording power, it is considered that it is hard to maintain thegood recording quality of the data.

Thus, in the modified operation example, when the data ismultiplex-recorded in the additional recording boundary portion as shownin the upper part of FIG. 11, the recording power of the laser lightemitted from the optical pickup 100 (in particular, therecording/reproduction laser 101) is relatively increased, under thecontrol of the CPU 314, which constitutes one specific example of the“third controlling device” of the present invention, as shown in thelower part of FIG. 11.

For example, when the data recording is restarted, the data is recordedwith the recording power shown by white circles in the lower part ofFIG. 11. At this time, the more the laser light irradiated after therestarting of the data recording overlaps the data recorded before thedata recording is stopped, the more the recording power is preferablyincreased. That is, immediately after the data recording is restarted, aportion at which the irradiated laser light overlaps the data recordedbefore the data recording is stopped is relatively large. Thus, therecording power is increased more in accordance with that. On the otherhand, as the data recording progresses, a portion at which theirradiated laser light overlaps the data recorded before the datarecording is stopped is gradually reduced. Thus, the recording power isalso gradually reduced in accordance with that. If a portion at whichthe irradiated laser light overlaps the data recorded before the datarecording is stopped does not exist, the recording power is reset to theoriginal value.

Moreover, as the count value is closer to 0 (i.e. the longer the timelength between the stop of the data recording operation and therestarting of the data recording is), the recording power is preferablyincreased more. For example, if the data recording is restarted with acount value that is closer to 0 than a count value, which is obtainedwhen the data recording is restarted with the recording power indicatedby the white circles in the lower part of FIG. 11, is, the data ispreferably recorded with the recording power shown by white squares inthe lower part of FIG. 11.

By this, regardless of the extent of the hardening of the material thatconstitutes the hologram recording layer 11, it is possible topreferably maintain the recording quality of the recorded data.

Moreover, in addition to or instead of increasing the recording power,the exposure time of the laser light (i.e. irradiation time) may beincreased, as shown in FIG. 12, under the control of the CPU 314, whichconstitutes one specific example of the “fourth controlling device” ofthe present invention. Increasing the recording power of the laser lightand increasing the irradiation time of the laser light are common in thepoint of increasing the amount of energy given to the hologram recordinglayer 11. In the same manner, reducing the recording power of the laserlight and reducing the irradiation time of the laser light are common inthe point of reducing the amount of energy given to the hologramrecording layer 11. Therefore, by increasing the irradiation time of thelaser light, it is possible to receive the same benefits as those in thecase of increasing the recording power of the laser light.

In this case, an aspect of increasing or reducing the irradiation timeof the laser light is the same as that of increasing or reducing therecording power of the laser light.

Incidentally, increasing or reducing irradiation time of the laser lightcan be realized by increasing or reducing a moving speed of the opticalpickup 100. That is, by reducing the moving speed of the optical pickup100, it is possible to irradiate a certain area portion in the hologramrecording layer 11 with the laser light for a longer time. On the otherhand, by increasing the moving speed of the optical pickup 100, it ispossible to irradiate a certain area portion in the hologram recordinglayer 11 with the laser light for a shorter time.

Alternatively, in addition to or instead of increasing or reducing amoving speed of the optical pickup 100, the rotational speed of thehologram recording medium 1 may be increased or reduced by the operationof the spindle motor 311, the irradiation timing of the laser light fromthe optical pickup 100 may be changed, or the irradiation time of thelaser light from the optical pickup 100 may be directly increased orreduced.

The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments,and various changes may be made without departing from the essence orspirit of the invention which can be read from the claims and the entirespecification. A hologram recording apparatus and method, a computerprogram, and a hologram recording medium, which involve such changes,are also intended to be within the technical scope of the presentinvention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The hologram recording medium, the hologram recording apparatus andmethod, and the computer program according to the present invention canbe applied to a hologram recording medium on which the data to berecorded is recorded as an interference pattern, and further to ahologram recording apparatus for recording information into the hologramrecording medium. Moreover, they can be applied to the hologramrecording apparatus or the like which is mounted on various computerequipment for consumer use or for commercial use, or which can beconnected to various computer equipment.

1. A hologram recording medium comprising: a record information area inwhich record information is recorded; and a time information area torecord therein time information which indicates a time length in whichthe record information can be multiplex-recorded.
 2. The hologramrecording medium according to claim 1, wherein the time informationindicates a hardening time required to harden a material thatconstitutes the hologram recording medium after irradiation of a lightbeam, as the time length in which the record information can bemultiplex-recorded. 3-19. (canceled)